I have a 2013 BRZ with a CARB-legal stage 1 turbo and have to admit it does add quite a bit to the fun, though not as much in lower RPM. It basically magnify the acceleration feel, the higher I rev it. It reminds me of the 90s hot hatches, a fuel-sipping econo-box below 5000 rpm, but boil it up above that to redline, fun zone. There's something to about having the power build up progressively all the way to the redline. The engine produces now makes about 260-270 HP, which I agree with Mike, seems to be a good number for it.
I think that amber rear turn signals should be required. At the very least, tail lights and brake lights and turn signals should not be allowed to all be from the same light.
My forever car is my Datsun 510. Purchased new in 1971, after more than 50 years, I always get exited about driving it. I would like to have more power but, in my heart, I can’t see removing the numbers-matching 1.6 liter.
David Abrams, My forever car is my 2005 FWD, manual Pontiac Vibe. After 16 years it runs as well as the day it left the factory. When someone starts selling a compact, manual wagon that burns CO2 and emits oxygen from the tailpipe, I will consider replacing it. There will be one other important criterion for my next car, everyone working in the factory that builds it will need to earn enough money to buy it. That was certainly the case at NUMMI where the Vibe was built.
If you live in Canada there's the corolla hatch. In the US there's the impreza hatch. Both can be had with a manual. Time to upgrade that matrix... I mean vibe
My forever car is actually the 2012 Toyota Avalon limited trim because it last over 500,000 miles and has super comfy ventilated seats with lots of leg, hip and shoulder room for 5 adults and a flat rear floor! Also a 12 speaker audio system! I would switch the limited suspension with the touring suspension from 2005-2008 models and also switch to 18 inch wheels with lower profile tires from 2013-2018 models for better handling! This car goes 0-60 in 6.2 seconds and gets better than the EPA MPG! It has been tested to get 23 MPG city and 34 MPG highway! This car not only is reliable enough to last forever, but will also keep you comfortable forever!
My forever car would be my current white on red 2016 Lexus GS350 F-Sport that I just bought last year. It's a near perfect car in every way for it's comfortable ride, agile handling, powerful great sounding & reliable V6 engine with decent gas mileage, roomy interior, attractive styling both inside & out, great sounding Mark Levinson audio system as well as plenty of features to keep me happy for years. I really couldn't ask for a better car.
For my forever car, I've always been a Honda lover and the one Honda model that I've always wanted ever since I was a teen is the 1988-91 Honda CRX Si. I admit, it wasn't the fastest car out there, but it was fun to drive, very nimble, had one of the best manual transmissions out there, and still very fuel efficient.
@@aznsumthing I actually like the Fit as well. For a small hatchback, it's actually fun to drive. It's too bad Honda discontinued it for the U.S. market.
Forever car would be 1987 Mercedes-Benz 300E that car is amazing. It received excellent press from all over the automobile world. That car is built to last!
May have inadvertently just purchased the forever car in May - 2020 Toyota Corolla SE hatchback 6 speed. Fun as a daily driver and not so big that people ask to carpool.
When we bought our first KIA Sorento in 2012 my wife forbade me to deploy the third row seats lest the neighbors prevailed upon her to become the default chauffeur for the entire neighborhood's gaggle of kids.
My forever car would be Alpha Romeo Guila Ti. Even dynamic mode the ride quality is amazing & so easy to drive. The balance is sublime and the way it hides it’s weight is pure Magic. Hope they didn’t kill too many unicorns in making these cars. Plus 4 door practicality can’t be beat. No issues or rattles after 4 years, just needs a manual to be a perfect car
Forever used car: Chevrolet SS (2017 - last year made) - even CR loved that car. Forever new car: WRX/STi. Fun car that is cheap (not a daily commuter). I have a friend who considered putting a turbo on his first generation BRZ but decided against it for now.
Great show! Like Jen, my pick is very practical, my forever car would be a Honda Odyssey. I am on my second one and love it. It can comfortably seat 8 or I can carry full size bikes and there is still room for 5. For such a large vehicle it is also fun to drive.
An after market turbo would be interesting to see. The question is really cost and is it worth it? Does it really increases the fun factor, or does the car becomes a beast and needs to be driven more carefully. I feel The 86/BRZ hit a sweet spot as they are… I still don’t love the style though…
@@stephenj4937 Most reviewers were sent an automatic. All other reviewers so far have said they feel the difference in the power as well as the flatter torque curve. The torque dip in the previous generation was horrible. It’s what prevented me from buying one after driving it.
Omg almost 12min about a Toyota that while I’m sure it would be a blast to drive how many will they really sell to the 350 thousand subscribers here? Other than that love seeing you all each week
For me, an ATTAINABLE forever car would be a 2021+ Lexus IS 350 F sport RWD. Would love a 2022 BRZ in a manual transmission but comfort is also a factor. You can add all the sound insulation you want but the thicker glass on luxury cars makes a huge difference.
I nearly keeled over when Jen named the Sorento as her forever car. My wife would have said exactly the same thing. In fact, I've often said that if I ever insist on replacing our 2018 Sorento I'll have to pry my wife's cold, dead fingers off the steering wheel. It's her daily driver, our big dog's second home, and the family's long distance freeway slogger. When I muse idly about replacing it with an EV, my wife's eyes narrow suspiciously. As for me? A far more difficult choice but my GTI would arguably be at the top of the list. I get the itch for a new car every five years or so and I very seldom replace a car with an updated version of the same vehicle. But my current MK 7.5 replaced a MK 6 GTI. And when I think about replacing the GTI I get the a feeling akin to the thought of trading in the family dog. Fortunately, we have a 17 year old daughter who's eyeing my GTI greedily so I may consider keeping it in the family by gifting it to her while I graduate to a Golf R.
I really hope this car sells well. The mass market demands automatic SUVs/CUVs. It's a miracle that the 86 got a second generation. Enthusiasts need to put their money where their mouths are, and actually try to "save the manuals," as well as compact fun-to-drive cars.
My forever car would probably be a 2008 Jaguar XJ portfolio. Extremely reliable, sure the air suspension can have issues just like any car with air suspension, extremely comfortable, and stunning classic design...
VW GTI (possibly Type R) manual would be my forever car choice, assuming excellent longterm reliability. Lack of reliability has always kept me away from these vehicles, unfortunately.
I put 80K miles on my MK6 GTI, 40K of which with a Stage I APR tune without a single issue of reliability. Not one. I now have a MK7.5 GTI with near 30K miles and again not a single issue. "Reliability" is a complex and frankly much overblown issue for cars these days. And "rankings" tells one no more about relative reliability than the order of finish in a horse race where winning doesn't tell you whether the first place horse won by a nose or 17 lengths. In fact, the vast majority of drivers (over 90%) will find they can drive any new vehicle for five to seven years without encountering a single major reliability issue. The key to reliability is religious commitment to maintenance and care.
I grew up on VW cars and the reliability past 80k just was not there. I have owned Toyotas and put 248k on my 2010 sienna and it ran flawlessly except for needed some front end suspension work when I traded it in. I love CR but for me reliability tests should start after 100k. Most cars can go 100k with little needed fixing these days.
If you had to pick between the MX-5 ND2 or the GR86 for back road driving, no track days, just based on driving abilities (not size, trunk space etc…) which one would you choose?
Re: Testing tuned cars, I'd definitely be curious. I have an ECU flash on my '19 TourX (GM's 2.0T LTG engine) but I've never bothered to do any measurement tests (dyno, track, etc) to see what it does on paper. The interesting part is that the tune is mapped to the cruise button, so I can alternate from 'stock' to 'tuned' map with one button push. Also, my Forever Car is one I've never driven (and probably never will): Panamera 4S E-Hybrid Sport Turismo. While not lightweight or manual transmission, it would still be a reasonably practical and cool Dadwagon.
This is easy: I'd definitely go with my 2016 Subaru WRX. All Wheel Drive, Four Doors, "Sporty" enough, and great gas mileage. I've cycled through lots of cars since I've had my WRX (FRS, BMW M2, A90 Supra) and the WRX has outlasted all of them so far. To be fair I live in a Northern State that "requires" AWD. If I HAD to make a change I'd probably change out the WRX with a BMW X5M.
@@RobertLeBlancPhoto I agree. Winter Tires for Northern Climates is king regardless of driven wheels. Although having AWD + Winter Tires is a nice combo.
As for turn signal colors, amber or red, a manufacturer NEVER put red bulbs/lenses on the front, and for whatever reasoning they use for the front (safety/standards,) they should use for the back. Amber all the way!
You missed it. The GR 86 - BRZ comparison. Wait till you see comparative lap times. Adding weight for power and ruining the center of gravity and the NA engine responsiveness-- missed it. Also which car has more aluminum parts? Which car is quicker? Missed it.
Okay I have a second and third choice forever car, I would say the upcoming Lucid Air, the 2022 Mercedes S-Class, and potentially the 2022 Mercedes EQS
I put 250,000 miles on a new 1992 SVX and liked it so much I bought another 1995 SVX with 30k and drove it also to 250k. I would have bought another but they stopped making them and I did not want to buy a WRX rally car. The SVX was sporty and could still fit two kids in the back. It was may daily driver and even on ice and snow never had to put on chains. The only negative was that I wished it came with a stick shift.
The WRX, as sold to the public, wasn’t a “rally car”. It was an AWD sedan with a peppy engine and available in manual. It also had 4 doors and a comfortable rear seat. It would’ve been perfect for your needs, but I guess you just couldn’t see that.
Jennifer, I recall that you had a VW Tiguan that you were very happy with. What happened to it? I'm mildly curious because the Tiguan is now at the bottom of the heap in CR ratings and is also in trouble in the marketplace. PS - however, I like the Tiguan.
For a "one car only" forever car with no responsibiltity for repairs and maintenance, I'd be looking hard at the highest performing flavor of a Porsche Macan. Not too big, as close to a sports car as you can get in a SUV, but can do a little light towing for my other toys and accessories. (Unless I can rent a truck for the ugly chores, then I'm probably looking at a NSX, Cayman GT3, or somthing.) Something as engaging as possible. Currently in the stable - Forester XT, ;17 BRZ Limited with Performance Package and of course, MT. Fun question. Nice review on the GR86. I've watched a ton of reviews already, and it appears Toyota is working hard to get the automatic version into the hands of journalists/testers. Probably a place they need to go, and something they should make an effort to put in the best automatic they can, because sadly, that is where the market is headed. Perhaps the silver lining is that if they can keep sales volumes up by including a respectable automatic in the lineup, the line will continue to exist, and also offer the MT. That is what scares me about the EV's. Aside from the Taycan, not much in the EV world is engaging, and in fact they seem to pride themselves on doing more things so the driver doesn't have to.
If I had to live with it for the rest of my life I would choose a 2003 Chrysler 300M. I owned 3 of them (different years), but when they went rear wheel drive on the 300, I didn't care for it.
I'm in my SUV phase again so forever vehicle(s) would be the Genesis GV80 top of the line in green with the tan interior. Older SUVS would be a last gen Suzuki Grand Vitara or 2001 Honda CRV Special Edition in green, I used to want both of them.
Sorry if this is a dumb question, but how was that GR 86 ‘rented’? It’s not even out yet for sale? Is this a special dispensation given to CR given your editorial rule about paying for your rides? Anyway thanks for the review; I am really digging this car and may be getting one in ‘22.
CR apparently has agreements with a variety of manufacturers to "rent" vehicles directly for an extended period for initial impressions. As noted in the video, CR actually purchases the vehicles they subject to extensive testing.
Your mom is like mine. She always says it's her last car and it's always an Accord. Regarding your tire tests, do you test multiple manufacture lots and use some kind of control for confounding variables? I saw your ratings for the exact same tires changed radically between last year and this (not just the standards going up, things went both up and down). I don't see how the same tires could change so much unless manufacturing variation or ambient temperature/humidity/etc. aren't being detected by your test procedure.
Tires are often changed in manufacture or design but they keep the same name. I’m not a fan of this either but it’s commonly done in the industry. It’s the same with entire vehicles as they charge generations.
I said 'this will be my last car' and I'm 64. Your Mom is 80, hopefully I'll be as lucky as her. And since I figured it would be my last car I got a Jeep Wrangler Unlimited.
Tesla MS Plaid. It has the speed, track mode soon hopefully, an amazing interior, and an absurd level of practicality. Plus software updates will keep it fresh for years after getting it.
Taillights are so simple to do properly yet so few vehicles in North America have acceptable tailllights somehow still in 2021! Did the majority of engineers and designers fail Tailllights 101? Do so many manufacturers care more about bean-counting than efficacy and safety? Here's all that a proper tailllight module requires: a separate red lamp for the taillight, a separate red lamp for the brake and a separate amber lamp for the indicator. No red indicators and no combination lamps are acceptable. You need to be able to tell from seeing only one side of the car whether the tailllights are on, if the brakes are on and if the indicator is on. One of my biggest pet peeves is European manufacturers who change their amber indicators to red for the North American market. That used to be a rare exception but it's now turned into the rule with BMW, Mercedes, Audi, VW, JLR, McLaren, Ferrari, Lamborghini, Bugatti and even safety-conscious Volvo all doing it! I know there are antiquated regulations prohibiting certain sequential indicator lights but if North America can't have that car's sequential amber indicators, just make them solid amber for North America. Also, you can have all red lenses for style and just have amber bulbs behind them; Mercedes did that decades ago.
I hope the CR does back to back tests of the 86 and BRZ on the track. I wonder if a more softly sprung BRZ (?) could actually be faster as the car might spend less time bouncing off the road and more time stuck to the pavement?
Regarding the viewer question on turn signals, the amber LED sequentual turn signals are VERY attention-grabbing and would be my preference as a personal who has survived two severe rear-end colllusions due to inattentive drivers. The question regarding forever cars, I'm looking into the future and thinking that the Hyundai Ioniq 5 or the new Geniesis GV60 EVs would be my pick. Great show as always, informative and entertaining!
Maybe that was the agreement since Subaru is doing everything they can to boost their already high overall brand reliability rating they’ve been enjoying lately.
Toyota has enough soft riding cars and is currently looking to improve their sporting image. First with frs/86, GR supra, gr yaris, gr 86, and soon gr corolla.
Got my 22 gr86 in raven black yesterday. What an awesome car!
As a 2020 86 owner... hearing your review of the GR86 makes me darned happy 🥳
Gr 86 manual, headers and tuned with or with a super charger.
Owned a 13brz and miss that car more than anything I've ever sold.
I would drive a 2013- 2017 Lexus LS460 for the rest of my life. That car is amazing to me!
That was my thought as well. Comfy, big, as reliable as the sun rising in the east every morning.
I have a 2013 BRZ with a CARB-legal stage 1 turbo and have to admit it does add quite a bit to the fun, though not as much in lower RPM. It basically magnify the acceleration feel, the higher I rev it. It reminds me of the 90s hot hatches, a fuel-sipping econo-box below 5000 rpm, but boil it up above that to redline, fun zone. There's something to about having the power build up progressively all the way to the redline.
The engine produces now makes about 260-270 HP, which I agree with Mike, seems to be a good number for it.
As someone who is also 6'2" I was wondering how I would fit in the Toyota GR 86. Appreciate the advice Ryan!
I am 6 foot 1 and I have no issue
I think that amber rear turn signals should be required. At the very least, tail lights and brake lights and turn signals should not be allowed to all be from the same light.
My forever car is my Datsun 510. Purchased new in 1971, after more than 50 years, I always get exited about driving it. I would like to have more power but, in my heart, I can’t see removing the numbers-matching 1.6 liter.
David Abrams, My forever car is my 2005 FWD, manual Pontiac Vibe. After 16 years it runs as well as the day it left the factory. When someone starts selling a compact, manual wagon that burns CO2 and emits oxygen from the tailpipe, I will consider replacing it. There will be one other important criterion for my next car, everyone working in the factory that builds it will need to earn enough money to buy it. That was certainly the case at NUMMI where the Vibe was built.
That's awesome. How many miles do you have on it?
It’s okay to like ugly cars…good looking cars aren’t for everyone
@@Danny... Around 120K
If you live in Canada there's the corolla hatch. In the US there's the impreza hatch. Both can be had with a manual. Time to upgrade that matrix... I mean vibe
@@anotheran The roof line of the Corolla hatch is 6 inches lower than a Matrix/Vibe and I simply don't fit inside one.
My forever car is actually the 2012 Toyota Avalon limited trim because it last over 500,000 miles and has super comfy ventilated seats with lots of leg, hip and shoulder room for 5 adults and a flat rear floor! Also a 12 speaker audio system! I would switch the limited suspension with the touring suspension from 2005-2008 models and also switch to 18 inch wheels with lower profile tires from 2013-2018 models for better handling! This car goes 0-60 in 6.2 seconds and gets better than the EPA MPG! It has been tested to get 23 MPG city and 34 MPG highway! This car not only is reliable enough to last forever, but will also keep you comfortable forever!
They said that the vehicle magically never broke down, so vehicle lasting over 500K miles is a moot point for your decision.
My forever car would be my current white on red 2016 Lexus GS350 F-Sport that I just bought last year. It's a near perfect car in every way for it's comfortable ride, agile handling, powerful great sounding & reliable V6 engine with decent gas mileage, roomy interior, attractive styling both inside & out, great sounding Mark Levinson audio system as well as plenty of features to keep me happy for years. I really couldn't ask for a better car.
For my forever car, I've always been a Honda lover and the one Honda model that I've always wanted ever since I was a teen is the 1988-91 Honda CRX Si. I admit, it wasn't the fastest car out there, but it was fun to drive, very nimble, had one of the best manual transmissions out there, and still very fuel efficient.
Try a second Gen Honda Fit. I think it's the spiritual successor of the CRX. Practical and manual transmission is quite good.
@@aznsumthing I actually like the Fit as well. For a small hatchback, it's actually fun to drive. It's too bad Honda discontinued it for the U.S. market.
My forever car. We have a RAV4 Hybrid & love it. I'd go with RAV4 Prime for the extra get-up-and-go.
My first car will probably be the Toyota GR 86~ It was what made me like cars, JDM, and will probably make me like modifying cars too~
Forever car would be 1987 Mercedes-Benz 300E that car is amazing. It received excellent press from all over the automobile world. That car is built to last!
Seriously, you guys are great. A super team! Thanks for your knowledge and very interesting info! The fun and laughter is ok too!
Datsun 240z and 280z , i wish i had both of those cars right now, again.
Definite agreement on the 240Z. I had a 1970 version for a number of years and would love to have it back.
CR should have a side channel like CR Autos so we can see their automotive projects!
You could evaluate and rate the manufacturers accessory upgrade packages.
May have inadvertently just purchased the forever car in May - 2020 Toyota Corolla SE hatchback 6 speed. Fun as a daily driver and not so big that people ask to carpool.
Hahahaha. 😂
When we bought our first KIA Sorento in 2012 my wife forbade me to deploy the third row seats lest the neighbors prevailed upon her to become the default chauffeur for the entire neighborhood's gaggle of kids.
The big problem are the brake lights on bumpers, su h as the CHEVY BOLT.... THAT AINT SO SAFE and should not be allowed!!!!
My forever car, 2018 Jaguar F-Type R-Dynamic 6spd manual.Ordered it new, keeping it for life
Money and reliability issues aside, my forever vehicle would be 2020 Mercedes-AMG e63 S wagon.
The reliability can't be ignored. Definitely won't last "forever" lol
Still, that Boxer engine gives me concerns about big repair bills in the future.
My forever car wouldn’t need routine head gasket replacements.
My forever car would be Alpha Romeo Guila Ti. Even dynamic mode the ride quality is amazing & so easy to drive. The balance is sublime and the way it hides it’s weight is pure Magic. Hope they didn’t kill too many unicorns in making these cars. Plus 4 door practicality can’t be beat. No issues or rattles after 4 years, just needs a manual to be a perfect car
I swear Jen was going to say Ford Flex.
Forever used car: Chevrolet SS (2017 - last year made) - even CR loved that car. Forever new car: WRX/STi. Fun car that is cheap (not a daily commuter). I have a friend who considered putting a turbo on his first generation BRZ but decided against it for now.
Great show! Like Jen, my pick is very practical, my forever car would be a Honda Odyssey. I am on my second one and love it. It can comfortably seat 8 or I can carry full size bikes and there is still room for 5. For such a large vehicle it is also fun to drive.
2019 VW Golf SE with Driver Assistance Package incl. adaptive cruise, 17" wheels, and 8" screen. Excellent CR reliability even.
An after market turbo would be interesting to see. The question is really cost and is it worth it? Does it really increases the fun factor, or does the car becomes a beast and needs to be driven more carefully. I feel The 86/BRZ hit a sweet spot as they are… I still don’t love the style though…
Mike, you said you will walk out if she chose Kia Sorrento but you stayed till the end lol...
Literally the only reviewers to say they couldn’t feel more power at all.
Did the other reviewers also test the automatic or the manual?
@@stephenj4937
Most reviewers were sent an automatic.
All other reviewers so far have said they feel the difference in the power as well as the flatter torque curve.
The torque dip in the previous generation was horrible. It’s what prevented me from buying one after driving it.
@@stephenj4937 most drove both and
Didn’t like the auto. Engineering explained mentioned the gear ratios.
My "forever" car choice is easy, 2021 Audi RS6 Avant
With Magical reliability that lasts forever?
I’m in 100% agreement with your choice.
Drove my buddy's this weekend. Good choice.
My Forever car was a 1984 5 speed Celica Supra. How can anyone forget their first🥰😍 forever car.
- Shocks took a beating like a Champ
My latest car. Mustang Mach-E First edition. My forever car.
Omg almost 12min about a Toyota that while I’m sure it would be a blast to drive how many will they really sell to the 350 thousand subscribers here? Other than that love seeing you all each week
For me, an ATTAINABLE forever car would be a 2021+ Lexus IS 350 F sport RWD.
Would love a 2022 BRZ in a manual transmission but comfort is also a factor. You can add all the sound insulation you want but the thicker glass on luxury cars makes a huge difference.
I already own my forever car: my 2004 Toyota Matrix XR. It does EVERYTHING I need, and I hope it lasts forever.
Great car! I had an ‘06 that I kept for 15 years and it was rock solid
Great choice, it is such a pity they stopped making them.
I nearly keeled over when Jen named the Sorento as her forever car. My wife would have said exactly the same thing. In fact, I've often said that if I ever insist on replacing our 2018 Sorento I'll have to pry my wife's cold, dead fingers off the steering wheel. It's her daily driver, our big dog's second home, and the family's long distance freeway slogger. When I muse idly about replacing it with an EV, my wife's eyes narrow suspiciously.
As for me? A far more difficult choice but my GTI would arguably be at the top of the list. I get the itch for a new car every five years or so and I very seldom replace a car with an updated version of the same vehicle. But my current MK 7.5 replaced a MK 6 GTI. And when I think about replacing the GTI I get the a feeling akin to the thought of trading in the family dog. Fortunately, we have a 17 year old daughter who's eyeing my GTI greedily so I may consider keeping it in the family by gifting it to her while I graduate to a Golf R.
A good compromise would be to combine in one package enhanced backup lights with amber turn signal bulbs or LED’s.
For what?
I really hope this car sells well. The mass market demands automatic SUVs/CUVs. It's a miracle that the 86 got a second generation.
Enthusiasts need to put their money where their mouths are, and actually try to "save the manuals," as well as compact fun-to-drive cars.
My forever car would probably be a 2008 Jaguar XJ portfolio. Extremely reliable, sure the air suspension can have issues just like any car with air suspension, extremely comfortable, and stunning classic design...
The problem is not the color of turn signal lamps, it’s that too many drivers don’t Use them!
My dad wants the GR86 next year in automatic because he is young at heart but has 66yr old knees.
Dodge charger sedan with the 6.4 L hemi engine. Lots of room, fold down rear seats, very practical and has a big hint of sporty!
VW GTI (possibly Type R) manual would be my forever car choice, assuming excellent longterm reliability. Lack of reliability has always kept me away from these vehicles, unfortunately.
I put 80K miles on my MK6 GTI, 40K of which with a Stage I APR tune without a single issue of reliability. Not one. I now have a MK7.5 GTI with near 30K miles and again not a single issue. "Reliability" is a complex and frankly much overblown issue for cars these days. And "rankings" tells one no more about relative reliability than the order of finish in a horse race where winning doesn't tell you whether the first place horse won by a nose or 17 lengths. In fact, the vast majority of drivers (over 90%) will find they can drive any new vehicle for five to seven years without encountering a single major reliability issue. The key to reliability is religious commitment to maintenance and care.
I grew up on VW cars and the reliability past 80k just was not there. I have owned Toyotas and put 248k on my 2010 sienna and it ran flawlessly except for needed some front end suspension work when I traded it in. I love CR but for me reliability tests should start after 100k. Most cars can go 100k with little needed fixing these days.
in south florida it's a forever blinker or not at all, so color probably wouldnt matter.
Yup. The elderly always fall in one of those two camps.
In the old days, the domestics had red turn lights and the imports had amber ones.
Still often like that, since US DOT laws do not require rear turn signals to be Amber but the EU does.
1973Datsun 240Z
Replacing LED headlights and tail lights can be very expensive, and often times proprietary
Very true.
Mine would be a 71-76 (second generation) Buick Electra 225 4 door hardtop.
My forever car is a 2018 Lexus GS350 awd f sport. Jack of all trades.
Only with a trailer hitch. 😉
If you had to pick between the MX-5 ND2 or the GR86 for back road driving, no track days, just based on driving abilities (not size, trunk space etc…) which one would you choose?
Most cars with red turn signals use the brake lamp for the turn signal as well. So yes it’s cheaper because you need one less bulb and socket
Combination lights need to be illegal
Re: Testing tuned cars, I'd definitely be curious. I have an ECU flash on my '19 TourX (GM's 2.0T LTG engine) but I've never bothered to do any measurement tests (dyno, track, etc) to see what it does on paper. The interesting part is that the tune is mapped to the cruise button, so I can alternate from 'stock' to 'tuned' map with one button push.
Also, my Forever Car is one I've never driven (and probably never will): Panamera 4S E-Hybrid Sport Turismo. While not lightweight or manual transmission, it would still be a reasonably practical and cool Dadwagon.
This is easy: I'd definitely go with my 2016 Subaru WRX. All Wheel Drive, Four Doors, "Sporty" enough, and great gas mileage. I've cycled through lots of cars since I've had my WRX (FRS, BMW M2, A90 Supra) and the WRX has outlasted all of them so far. To be fair I live in a Northern State that "requires" AWD. If I HAD to make a change I'd probably change out the WRX with a BMW X5M.
Between AWD with AS tires and 2WD with winter tires, I’ll take the winter tires every time.
@@RobertLeBlancPhoto I agree. Winter Tires for Northern Climates is king regardless of driven wheels. Although having AWD + Winter Tires is a nice combo.
Toyota Land Cruiser heritage edition. Perfection.
A corvette for sure is my forever car. I think it's a sports car that can compete with the european and Italian sports cars.
Im 67 and I love my 2014 BRZ would make it my forever car
As for turn signal colors, amber or red, a manufacturer NEVER put red bulbs/lenses on the front, and for whatever reasoning they use for the front (safety/standards,) they should use for the back. Amber all the way!
You missed it. The GR 86 - BRZ comparison. Wait till you see comparative lap times. Adding weight for power and ruining the center of gravity and the NA engine responsiveness-- missed it. Also which car has more aluminum parts? Which car is quicker? Missed it.
Yes add boost to GR86. Either turbo or even a supercharger.
Okay I have a second and third choice forever car, I would say the upcoming Lucid Air, the 2022 Mercedes S-Class, and potentially the 2022 Mercedes EQS
I put 250,000 miles on a new 1992 SVX and liked it so much I bought another 1995 SVX with 30k and drove it also to 250k. I would have bought another but they stopped making them and I did not want to buy a WRX rally car. The SVX was sporty and could still fit two kids in the back. It was may daily driver and even on ice and snow never had to put on chains. The only negative was that I wished it came with a stick shift.
The WRX, as sold to the public, wasn’t a “rally car”.
It was an AWD sedan with a peppy engine and available in manual. It also had 4 doors and a comfortable rear seat.
It would’ve been perfect for your needs, but I guess you just couldn’t see that.
Jennifer, I recall that you had a VW Tiguan that you were very happy with. What happened to it? I'm mildly curious because the Tiguan is now at the bottom of the heap in CR ratings and is also in trouble in the marketplace. PS - however, I like the Tiguan.
For a "one car only" forever car with no responsibiltity for repairs and maintenance, I'd be looking hard at the highest performing flavor of a Porsche Macan. Not too big, as close to a sports car as you can get in a SUV, but can do a little light towing for my other toys and accessories. (Unless I can rent a truck for the ugly chores, then I'm probably looking at a NSX, Cayman GT3, or somthing.) Something as engaging as possible. Currently in the stable - Forester XT, ;17 BRZ Limited with Performance Package and of course, MT. Fun question. Nice review on the GR86. I've watched a ton of reviews already, and it appears Toyota is working hard to get the automatic version into the hands of journalists/testers. Probably a place they need to go, and something they should make an effort to put in the best automatic they can, because sadly, that is where the market is headed. Perhaps the silver lining is that if they can keep sales volumes up by including a respectable automatic in the lineup, the line will continue to exist, and also offer the MT. That is what scares me about the EV's. Aside from the Taycan, not much in the EV world is engaging, and in fact they seem to pride themselves on doing more things so the driver doesn't have to.
If I had to live with it for the rest of my life I would choose a 2003 Chrysler 300M. I owned 3 of them (different years), but when they went rear wheel drive on the 300, I didn't care for it.
Cayman GTS! No doubt about it.
For the guy replacing his XB: Get a Carolla hatchback or a base model Rav4.
Much better recommendation than a Kia.
Mazda CX30
My forever car would be a 991.2 GT3 Touring. Most realistically an R33 GTS-T in manual
My choice of "forever car" would be a Tesla Model S, maybe the 2019 model,
I'm in my SUV phase again so forever vehicle(s) would be the Genesis GV80 top of the line in green with the tan interior. Older SUVS would be a last gen Suzuki Grand Vitara or 2001 Honda CRV Special Edition in green, I used to want both of them.
Sorry if this is a dumb question, but how was that GR 86 ‘rented’? It’s not even out yet for sale?
Is this a special dispensation given to CR given your editorial rule about paying for your rides?
Anyway thanks for the review; I am really digging this car and may be getting one in ‘22.
CR apparently has agreements with a variety of manufacturers to "rent" vehicles directly for an extended period for initial impressions. As noted in the video, CR actually purchases the vehicles they subject to extensive testing.
Your mom is like mine. She always says it's her last car and it's always an Accord.
Regarding your tire tests, do you test multiple manufacture lots and use some kind of control for confounding variables? I saw your ratings for the exact same tires changed radically between last year and this (not just the standards going up, things went both up and down). I don't see how the same tires could change so much unless manufacturing variation or ambient temperature/humidity/etc. aren't being detected by your test procedure.
Tires are often changed in manufacture or design but they keep the same name.
I’m not a fan of this either but it’s commonly done in the industry.
It’s the same with entire vehicles as they charge generations.
The manual is a full second faster than the automatic, so yeah you'll definetly feel the difference in the manual.
Golf R - although the verdict is out with the new generation with the new dashboard and infotainment issues.
the forever car was in my head before the brand was even mentioned in the video.
Porsche 992 911 Turbo, all black
or a Porsche Taycan Turbo S
That BRZ mod would also need to comply and covered under the warranty.
I hope the BRZ becomes the touring version. I need a reliable replacement for my 2 Series.
+1 for the aftermarket.
The rear end looks like the Suzuki Kizashi
I said 'this will be my last car' and I'm 64. Your Mom is 80, hopefully I'll be as lucky as her. And since I figured it would be my last car I got a Jeep Wrangler Unlimited.
Good idea. Boost it!!!
Kia Sorento??? I suppose that's like saying model XXXX is my forever refrigerator. It's an appliance that performs well but without much passion.
The dude on the right is a giant that lives in an attic 😂
Tesla MS Plaid. It has the speed, track mode soon hopefully, an amazing interior, and an absurd level of practicality. Plus software updates will keep it fresh for years after getting it.
Put Free Valve in the project car too 😬
My forever car: Acura MDX with the SH-AWD
I'll take a Porsche Taycan 4S Cross Turismo in green!
The best forever joy car is of course thee Gordon Murray T.50.
The upcoming Toyota GR Corolla 🤞 with three pedals
Taillights are so simple to do properly yet so few vehicles in North America have acceptable tailllights somehow still in 2021! Did the majority of engineers and designers fail Tailllights 101? Do so many manufacturers care more about bean-counting than efficacy and safety? Here's all that a proper tailllight module requires: a separate red lamp for the taillight, a separate red lamp for the brake and a separate amber lamp for the indicator. No red indicators and no combination lamps are acceptable. You need to be able to tell from seeing only one side of the car whether the tailllights are on, if the brakes are on and if the indicator is on. One of my biggest pet peeves is European manufacturers who change their amber indicators to red for the North American market. That used to be a rare exception but it's now turned into the rule with BMW, Mercedes, Audi, VW, JLR, McLaren, Ferrari, Lamborghini, Bugatti and even safety-conscious Volvo all doing it! I know there are antiquated regulations prohibiting certain sequential indicator lights but if North America can't have that car's sequential amber indicators, just make them solid amber for North America. Also, you can have all red lenses for style and just have amber bulbs behind them; Mercedes did that decades ago.
I hope the CR does back to back tests of the 86 and BRZ on the track. I wonder if a more softly sprung BRZ (?) could actually be faster as the car might spend less time bouncing off the road and more time stuck to the pavement?
You’re among those missing the point of these cars.
They’re not about speed. They’re about driving enjoyment.
My forever car would be 2019 BMW X5 Diesel with M-sport package.
Regarding the viewer question on turn signals, the amber LED sequentual turn signals are VERY attention-grabbing and would be my preference as a personal who has survived two severe rear-end colllusions due to inattentive drivers. The question regarding forever cars, I'm looking into the future and thinking that the Hyundai Ioniq 5 or the new Geniesis GV60 EVs would be my pick. Great show as always, informative and entertaining!
I’m kind of surprised that they would make the Subaru version the touring car and the Toyota the track one. I agree that seems backward.
Maybe that was the agreement since Subaru is doing everything they can to boost their already high overall brand reliability rating they’ve been enjoying lately.
Toyota has enough soft riding cars and is currently looking to improve their sporting image. First with frs/86, GR supra, gr yaris, gr 86, and soon gr corolla.
I would have to have a Mercedes r63 amg if I had the money to maintain a big german monster.
The only way you can truly replace a Scion xB is to get another Scion xB so start surfing the used car sites.
I would prefer supercharger on GR86 over turbocharger.
My forever car would have to be a 2005 Lexus IS Sport Cross manual, or a 1994 Audi RS4 Avant.